India-Egypt Diplomatic Relationship get a boost as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrives as Chief Guest for Republic Day
India-Egypt Diplomatic Relationship in the modern day can be dated back to newly independent India. However, ancient times have also seen the two oldest civilizations having close contact with each other.
Under Nehru
When India gained its Independence in 1947, the world was going through a difficult phase. It was during these difficult years that the strong leadership of Nehru helped carve a way out. Nehru and Gamal Abdel Nasser, former President of Egypt, were the founders of the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM). The NAM, still relevant today, had decided not to side with any significant power bloc.
Nehru and Nasser were strong advocates of this philosophy and carried it forward in their policies. Along with it, Mahatma Gandhi and Saad Zaghloul, former Prime Minister of Egypt, also shared common goals on the Independence of the countries. All this later converted in close friendship between Nehru and Nasser and led to the the signing of the Friendship Treaty between India and Egypt in 1955.
Trade Relations
Egypt has been one of India’s most important trading partners in the African subcontinent. The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement, signed in March 1978, and the Most Favored Nation clause have helped the trade between the two countries grow more than five times in the last ten years. PM Modi also commented “We have decided to take bilateral trade to USD 12 billion in next 5 years”.
We have decided to take bilateral trade to USD 12 billion in next 5 years: PM Modi after talks with Egyptian President Sisi
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 25, 2023
75 Years of India-Egypt Relationship
The year 2022 had marked 75 years of India-Egypt Relationship that had begun in A commemorative postal stamp was exchanged between Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communication and Electronics & Information Technology of India, and Dr. Amr Ahmed Samih Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt, to celebrate this monumental occasion.
Read More- Republic Day 2023: Celebration Going to Be Special for These Reasons
Republic Day Chief Guest For the 2023 Republic Day Celebrations, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has been invited as the Chief Guest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a historic move as this is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited for the celebrations. A ceremonial welcome has been accorded to Sisi at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 🇮🇳🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/fbOefB9wer
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 25, 2023
Sisi’s visit can be seen as a great way to build better relations with the Arab country. Issues covering political, security, defence, energy and economy will be discussed and elevated. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs tweeted “Honoured to call on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi @AlsisiOfficial of Egypt this morning. His visit adds a new vigour to our bilateral engagement and our time-tested friendship.”
Honoured to call on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi @AlsisiOfficial of Egypt this morning.
His visit adds a new vigour to our bilateral engagement and our time-tested friendship. pic.twitter.com/0bHrP1EmrQ
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 25, 2023
